Our nation’s ability to power our way of life without carbon emissions is now at the top of lawmakers’ minds on Capitol Hill. A new momentum is pulsing through the District as Congress held several hearings and proposed a new resolution this week on the threat of climate change and the best way for our energy system to respond.

Early this morning, “The Green New Deal,” a resolution introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), proposed a framework for „meeting 100 percent of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable and zero-emission energy sources.“

America’s 98 nuclear reactors generate 20 percent of the nation’s electricity, all without carbon emissions. In fact, more than 56 percent of all carbon-free electricity is generated by nuclear, more than all other clean energy sources combined.

“[I]f we are serious about climate change, we need to get serious about the role of nuclear power,” said Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas) in the House hearing.